AuthorTopic: NIK in latest update of PS CC(2017) (Read 6149 times)

Just completed the most recent update to PS CC(1017) only to find functionality problems with the NIK suit. Opening these plug ins requires moving my mouse or imputing random key strokes to keep the programs running through their start up sequence. While Define no longer defines. There may be other issues but that is what I noted so far. What are others finding?

I just double-checked my version of Photoshop CC and it is 2017.0.1, not a newer release. Still without any issues under OS 10.11.6. I don't think my antique system will support a newer OS unless I do some techie updates to the hardware and firmware so I guess I'm safe using NIK for now...

From what I've heard Macfun is the replacement plug-ins for the now deceased Nik. Some of the same programmers, updated software. I guess it's time for me to start drifting that way as set in my ways as I can be for now... Otherwise, the solution is to keep an older version of PS CC dedicated to using the Nik suite. More clutter...

Several uniformed comments in discussions all over the Internet today about this news.

This behavior is not "typical of Google", as so many claim. It's typical of proprietary software controlled by a company responsive to the dictates of capitalism. Proprietary software can be enormously convenient and helpful, but like many things has a darkside too. We who use proprietary software don't "own" it. We license it and are beholden to whoever controls it. If the interests of whoever controls it no longer align with our own interests, and we lack the power to do anything about the mismatch, then we're screwed. That's intrinsic to combination of capitalism and proprietary software. (Not that I'm in favor of this, I'm just noting it as a fact).

The source code to patented software can be made open and can be used to produce free software. Microsoft has released the source code that surely has a gazillion patents applied to it; Red Hat owns software patents (for defensive purposes). I suspect the main issue is that having lawyers and developers go over things so that the software can be made ready to have its source code released is probably seriously expensive.

The traditional Topaz Labs Photoshop Plugins are supposed to work fine for Photoshop compatible applications. Mine work with PS6 Extended, and Affinity Photo, and with Topaz Studio (Topaz Studio itself functions as a PS plugin in addition to its specific Studio plugins). Topaz Labs plugins are still normally sold, and updated for life (as per their business model).

Several uniformed comments in discussions all over the Internet today about this news.

This behavior is not "typical of Google", as so many claim. It's typical of proprietary software controlled by a company responsive to the dictates of capitalism. Proprietary software can be enormously convenient and helpful, but like many things has a darkside too. We who use proprietary software don't "own" it. We license it and are beholden to whoever controls it. If the interests of whoever controls it no longer align with our own interests, and we lack the power to do anything about the mismatch, then we're screwed. That's intrinsic to combination of capitalism and proprietary software. (Not that I'm in favor of this, I'm just noting it as a fact).

The source code to patented software can be made open and can be used to produce free software. Microsoft has released the source code that surely has a gazillion patents applied to it; Red Hat owns software patents (for defensive purposes). I suspect the main issue is that having lawyers and developers go over things so that the software can be made ready to have its source code released is probably seriously expensive.

People need to understand that Google is in the business of making money. Nik software support and development has come to an end because Google couldn't figure out how to monetize it. When you receive "free" stuff from Google, like "free email" it is because YOU are the product (I know that's a clichè, but its true.)

Google has had more than a few services that people mistakenly began to rely upon only to find it unceremoniously killed. Google Reader and Picasa come quickly to mind. Nik is just another. And the people that say it is "typical Google" are not all that wrong.

It is very typical of google to stop development. When I project is "done" and goals are met, they team usually breaks apart and moves on. This I know from several google employees who are friends. To them it has reached it's life expectancy. When they acquired NIK, they were only interested in Snapseed, but they needed to buy the whole package. I think the only reason it lasted as long as it did is because of the contract from deal to buy NIK.